The index
Every entry, alphabetical.
Browse by letter, filter by category, or jump straight to the one you need. Each entry is a 60-second read. Looking for a specific slip? Try Fixes, Spelling, or Idioms.
- 01Accept vs. ExceptTo receive or welcome versus to exclude — near-opposite meanings.Confusables→
- 02Affect vs. EffectThe action versus the result — a verb and a noun most of the time.Confusables→
- 03Less vs. FewerFor things you measure versus things you count.Usage→
- 04Who vs. WhomSubject versus object — the pronoun doing it versus the pronoun it happens to.Usage→
- 05Its vs. It’sPossessive versus contraction — a rare case where no apostrophe wins.Punctuation→
- 06Then vs. ThanTime versus comparison — two different jobs, one letter apart.Confusables→
- 07Lay vs. LieYou lay something down. You lie down yourself.Usage→
- 08I.e. vs. E.g.That is to say versus for example — one clarifies, the other illustrates.Confusables→
- 09That vs. WhichEssential versus extra — a comma decides.Usage→
- 10Imply vs. InferThe speaker implies. The listener infers.Confusables→
- 11Comprise vs. ComposeThe whole comprises the parts. The parts compose the whole.Usage→
- 12Me vs. IWhen you’re the subject versus when you’re the object.Usage→
- 13Ironic vs. CoincidenceA reversal of expectation versus two things happening to line up.Usage→
- 14Literally vs. FigurativelyClaiming something really happened versus using it as a turn of phrase.Usage→
- 15Alright vs. All rightThe casual one-word form versus the two-word form editors prefer.Confusables→
- 16Enormity vs. EnormousnessGreat wickedness or moral weight versus sheer physical size.Confusables→
- 17Bemused vs. AmusedPuzzled and a little lost versus entertained and pleased.Confusables→
- 18Disinterested vs. UninterestedHaving no stake in the outcome versus having no interest at all.Confusables→
- 19Hanged vs. HungThe past tense reserved for executions versus the one for everything else.Confusables→
- 20Piqued vs. PeakedStirred up (as in curiosity) versus reaching a high point (as in mountains).Confusables→
- 21A Tough Row to HoeA difficult task or situation to deal with; a challenging endeavor.Idioms→
- 22About vs. Around (approximation)Both mean approximately, but 'around' can also mean surrounding.Prepositions→
- 23AbstractionHiding complexity to focus on the essential features.Tech→
- 24ActionableInformation that can be acted upon.Corporate→
- 25Actions Speak Louder Than WordsWhat people do matters more than what they say.Idioms→
- 26Actor vs. ActressActor is now widely used as gender-neutral. Many performers prefer it over actress.Gendered→
- 27Added BonusA bonus is something added extra, so 'added' is redundant.Redundancies→
- 28Advance PlanningPlanning is inherently about preparing in advance, so 'advance' is redundant.Redundancies→
- 29Adverse vs. AverseHarmful conditions versus a feeling of opposition.Confusables→
- 30Advice vs. AdviseThe recommendation itself versus the act of giving it.Confusables→
- 31AFKAway From Keyboard — a quick way to say you're stepping away from your computer.Internet→
- 32After vs. FollowingAfter = later in time, Following = comes next/as a result.Prepositions→
- 33Aggravate vs. IrritateAggravate" means to make worse; "irritate" means to annoy.Misused→
- 34Agile vs. WaterfallIterative development versus linear, sequential development.Corporate→
- 35Agreement with Compound SubjectsCompound subjects joined by "and" are plural; those with "or" depend on the nearest subject.Grammar→
- 36AlignmentEnsuring everyone has the same goals or understanding.Corporate→
- 37Allowed vs. AloudPermitted versus out loud.Confusables→
- 38Allude vs. EludeTo refer to something indirectly versus escaping or avoiding.Confusables→
- 39Allusion vs. IllusionAn indirect reference versus a deceptive appearance.Confusables→
- 40Alot vs. A Lot'Alot' is not a word. 'A lot' is always two words.Misused→
- 41Altar vs. AlterOne is religious, the other means to change.Confusables→
- 42Alternate vs. AlternativeSwitching back and forth versus a different choice.Confusables→
- 43Alumni vs. Alumnus vs AlumnaCorrect Latin plurals for graduates.Confusables→
- 44Ambiguous PronounsMake sure it's clear what noun a pronoun refers to.Grammar→
- 45Ambiguous vs. AmbivalentUnclear meaning versus having mixed feelings.Confusables→
- 46Amend vs. EmendChanging for improvement versus correcting a text.Confusables→
- 47Amoral vs. ImmoralLacking a moral sense versus violating moral principles.Confusables→
- 48Anxious vs. EagerAnxious = worried/nervous. Eager = excited to do something.Misused→